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Master of Arts in Human Resources (MAHR) | Graduate Degree Program

Master of Arts in Human Resources (MAHR)

Online Master of Arts in Human Resources

Are you interested in pursuing a degree in Human Resources? The Master of Arts in Human Resources (MAHR) accelerated, online program at Ottawa University prepares students to develop, support, and administrate personnel in business organizations across all industries. Graduates of our Human Resources masters program will understand the challenges of employment and staffing; the complexities of compensation and benefits; the policies and programs that promote employee responsibility, production and satisfaction; and the methods to hire, retain and terminate employees based on legal policies and ethical parameters that protect both the rights of workers and the interests of the company.

With OU’s online MAHR degree, you will be poised to lead HR teams in organizations of every industry reach their goals. Whether it’s in education, manufacturing, local government, private corporations or non-profits, every organization wants to attract the most qualified employees for their job opportunities. This graduate program is designed to help you increase your human resources skills and positively impact the lives of others.

HR Concentrations

Ottawa’s masters degree in human resources offers two concentrations that allow you to tailor your degree in an area of specialization, such as:

HR Curriculum

Ottawa’s accelerated, online masters in human resources degree is designed for busy working adults who are looking to advance their career. The program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to assume leadership roles in human resources and related professions as human resources managers, consultants, employee and student development counselors, or trainers. Courses may include:

  • Managing Human Resources Costs
  • Human Resource Planning and Administration
  • Wage, Salary, and Benefit Administration recruitment.
  • Recruitment, Selection, and Placement
  • Training and Development
  • Organizational Behavior and Theory
  • Employment Law
  • Value Systems and Professional Ethics
  • Trends, Issues, and Perspectives in Human Resources
  • Research: Assessment and Evaluation
  • Applied Case Studies in Human Resources

For curriculum and course descriptions, please download a program overview.

Why Pursue a Masters in HR?

There are several HR career paths and advancement opportunities in just about every industry imaginable. Today, those holding a human resources graduate degree perform beyond the requisite administrative functions and consult with top executives regarding strategic planning. They have moved from being behind-the-scenes administrators to leadership roles whereby they are oftentimes involved in changing company policies.

SHRM Approved HR Degree

Ottawa University’s online Master of Arts in Human Resources degree prepares you to take the exam leading to designation as a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and the program is fully aligned with SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. Throughout the world, only 252 programs in 201 educational institutions have been acknowledged by SHRM as being in alignment with its suggested guides, templates, and standards.

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If you are interested in gaining tips to tackle workplace issues, please visit our Business Blog Spot.

Careers to Pursue With a Masters Degree in HR

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5 Benefits of Training and Development

To learn more about Ottawa's online Master's in Human Resources degree, contact us today!

Human Resources (MAHR) is offered at the following locations.

  • Surprise, AZ (Residential Campus)
  • Overland Park, Kansas
  • Brookfield, Wisconsin
  • Online

Education and Qualifications for HR Professionals

There are many types of human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists. In a small organization, a human resources generalist may handle all aspects of human resources work, and thus requires an extensive range of knowledge. In a large corporation, the director of human resources may supervise several departments, each headed by an experienced manager who most likely specializes in one human resources activity, such as employment and placement; compensation and benefits; training and development; or labor relations. The director may report to a top human resources executive.

Most positions in human resources require a minimum of a bachelors degree. However, advanced degrees are becoming increasingly important. Specific certifications for specialty areas and national certification for broader human resource competencies should also be considered.

Human Resources Careers

Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization. There are several HR career paths and advancement opportunities in just about every industry imaginable. Many HR professionals work in offices, and most work full time during regular business hours. Some travel to attend professional meetings or to recruit employees.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of human resources professionals is expected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. The average salary for human resources managers was $121,220 in May of 2020.

Careers in Human Resources 

  • Benefits administrator
  • Benefits manager
  • Compensation specialist
  • Employee relations manager
  • Human resources assistant
  • Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) specialist
  • Human resources manager
  • Payroll specialist
  • Training coordinator
  • Training manager

Master of Arts in Human Resources Courses

(36 credit hours)

Managing Human Resources Costs | HRC 7361 (3 credit hours)
Monitor and assess financial achievements of human resources goals, as well as other financial planning and control mechanisms within the work organization.

Human Resources Planning and Administration | HRC 7411 (3 credit hours)
Integration of human resources with strategic business functions and planning. Examines issues of structure, staffing, effectiveness, performance and assessment and diversity within organizations.

Wage, Salary, and Benefit Administration | HRC 7461 (3 credit hours)
Provides comprehensive overview of the elements of compensation, legal ramifications and compensation design and design of benefits programs and their impact on compensation and recruitment.

Recruitment Selection and Placement | HRC 7561 (3 credit hours)
Examine issues and methods for effective recruitment, employment selection and job placement. Compare various methods and procedures used as related to job requirements.

Training and Development | HRC 7601 (3 credit hours)
Cover fundamentals, purpose and role of the training and development function in human resources. Includes needs assessment, program development, methods and technologies, management development, evaluation of interventions.

Organizational Behavior and Theory | HRC 7611 (3 credit hours)
Examines human behavior as it impacts the work organization. Includes theoretical foundations of motivation, group dynamics, leadership, decision-making, satisfaction and performance.

Employment Law | HRC 7741 (3 credit hours)
Examination of Equal Employment Opportunity, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Leave Act and other recent and forthcoming legislation. Discuss impact for employee relations and management training for compliance.

Value Systems and Professional Ethics | HRF 7001 (3 credit hours)
Study of personal and corporate value systems and decision making. Investigation of personal beliefs, purposes and attitudes, and their effects on self and others. Examines the ethical dimensions of organizational structures and practices.

Trends, Issues, and Perspectives in Human Resources | HRF 7111 (3 credit hours)
Extended overview of the role of human resources in organizations. Existing theory and practice as well as new and emerging topics in the field.

Research: Assessment and Evaluation | HRF 7161 (3 credit hours)
Develop conceptual and analytical skills and knowledge to assess organizational needs and program effectiveness through the use of research methodologies.

Applied Case Studies in Human Resources | HRF 8481 (3 credit hours)
Seminar for graduating students in which participants develop a major case study of human resource issues, programs and policies in a current organization, most often their own. Draws from previous courses as issues are identified, analyzed and discussed.


Elective course (3 credit hours)

Organization Consultation Skills | HRC 7661 (3 credit hours)
Emphasis on the consulting process in organizations including the role and skills of a consultant, internal versus external consulting, contracting for services, resistance to change, diagnosis, data collection and interventions to improve organizational performance. Apply consulting skills to case simulation.

Career Development | HRC 7811 (3 credit hours)
Studies issues and methods involved in career development, as well as the personal and organizational issues and practices relevant to individual careers. Examines career development methods and their application to specific work situations.​

Managing a Culturally Diverse Workplace | HRC 7841 (3 credit hours)
Study of how gender, ethnicity and other cultural diversity dimensions influence organizational behavior and outcomes. Includes theory and techniques for working with and leading diverse workforce in order to increase organizational effectiveness and to enable all members to reach their full potential.

For curriculum and course descriptions, please download a program overview.

Full Degree Catalog

University Accreditation

Ottawa University, as a whole, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Specific degree programs within our institution have also been accredited by relevant bodies within the field:

We are proudly recognized for our commitment to student excellence by the following designations:

Why Choose Ottawa
Almost all courses in Ottawa University’s programs are available online and accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. We make it easy for you to transfer credits in order to help keep tuition costs down. We also offer courses in accelerated 8-week terms in order to reduce your time to completion. These are just a few of the reasons why we are proud to be the best, fastest, and most affordable option locally in the Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Phoenix areas, as well as serving students nationally through our online degrees.

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